Based on a legend local to the village where I live, this is a VERY scary story. Written as a hi-lo to make it accessible to pupils struggling with reading, I'm told it retains all its horrific power. If you were scared by Jenny Greenteeth you'll be petrified by Tommy Bones.

When librarian Karen Morris told me there was a very real need for a story about dementia I said I'd have a go. Karen said a lot of children were having to come to terms with the fact that their grannies and granddads were losing their memories. Beloved grandparents were acting oddly and they didn't know why or what to do. I sympathised; I have friends with Alzheimer's, bright friends who started acting out of character. Lovely Old Lion is the result of this collaboration. Susan Varley has illustrated my text with huge sensitivity, conveying every nuance of emotion - and it is an emotional story. Out on August 6th.

New Ben and Bella Adventure!

When Ben and Bella bounce on mum and dad's bed all the animals join in the fun - of course. Then Elephant sends the bed flying out of the window - up up up - into space. After a whizz round the planets they decide Planet Earth is best and down they come!

Adrian Reynolds has excelled himself with vibrant glowing pictures. His map of the solar system is stunning.

Number 4 in the series, if you like Big Red Bath, Big Blue Train and Big Yellow Digger, you'll love Big Bouncy Bed!

In 2013 my dear friend Julie Laslett wrote a play based on my picture-book Class Two at the Zoo and she directed performances. Sadly Julie died soon afterwards. I'm delighted that Julie's children have given permission for the play-script to be released as a FREE download. Julie and I thought it would make a great school play and I would be thrilled if teachers downloaded the script and adapted it for performances in their school.

Meanwhile if you haven't got it, get Class Two at the Zoo for your children - if they are not of too nervous disposition. An anaconda, the biggest snake in the world, is on the loose! Go to my Lesson Plans to find a Topic Web with lots more ideas

New book with Lynne Chapman!

Hippo thinks his bum's too big.Giraffe thinks his neck is too long and Zebra is fed up with stripes. Then Lion opens a Swap Shop, and it's not long before the animals all want to look just like they did before.

Big Red Bath - book to boards!

Photography: Shaun Armstrong/Mubsta

ON STAGE AGAIN 2015

Praised as a '
A quirky, vibrant and humorous adaptation of Julia Jarman
and Adrian Reynolds’ popular children’s picture book, the Big Red Bath'
the show played to packed audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe 2014. Created by
Full House and Half Moon theatre companies, The Stage described the musical as
'Children's theatre at its very best!'
With music by the alternative indie pop group, We Were Evergreen, the show has delighted audiences on two UK tours, entrancing children from 2 to 6 with music, movement and wordplay. I'm delighted to say another tour begins in April 2015.

VENUES

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Northern Stage

Charmingly illustrated by the wonderful Susan Varley, my latest picture book has received lots of great reviews.
Independent on Sunday
chose it as one of their
BOOKS OF THE YEAR
for 2012. Nicholas Tucker wrote
'This affectionate story is funny and touching in both text and pictures.'
School Librarian's Anne-Marie Tarter said,
'A reassuring read for little ones embarking on new friendships. This would be a good read aloud story with Jarman's clear rhythm and alliteration.'

The paperback edition was published on July 2nd 2013 and launched at
the EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL August 2013. We had great fun with librarians in panda costumes, loaned by Edinburgh Zoo, acting the story as I read it to hundreds of children aged three to seven.

First published as 'The Haunting of Nadia' this short novel is a hi-lo that retains all the horror of the original. New illustrations focus on the monstrous Jenny Greenteeth who lurks beneath the surface of the pond Nadia must pass each day. Can Nadia break free from the monster's grip?

Wired Up Connect is for readers aged 9 and over.

ISBN 9781408174104

£5.99

The Portsmouth Book Award is voted for by 1,500 Year 5 pupils. Watch this spot for links to drama, music and poems inspired by the story. Brilliantly performed at The King's Theatre Portsmouth as part of the rumbustious award ceremony, they will inspire you too.

It was great to see Hangman praised in a recent blog about anti-bullying books,but I can't help feeling sad that the book is still so relevant in schools today. To read the blog,go to http://my.redhouse.co.uk/read/blog

If you're a teacher and would like to read the books with Y7 or Y8 pupils - or mature Y6s, you can find lesson plans on this site by following this link.

World Book Day is Thursday 3rd March 2016. If you would like me to visit your school during that week please get in touch NOW. Here'
s my fave pic from WBD 2015, two teachers at Renhold Lower School, the winners of my prize for best book characters. Simple but effective, they are Panda and Pandora from TWO SHY PANDAS illustrated by Susan Varley. You can copy if you like!

The year is flying by. I’ve been so busy -
writing and doing events – that I haven’t reported on
all the schools I’ve visited. Please send me photos and
pupils’ work inspired by my books. I’m thrilled with
Lesson Plans generously donated by Lucy Compton of Spinney Hill
Primary. She used
CLASS THREE ALL AT SEA
with her Year One class and got
accolades from Ofsted. They said they had never seen such a high standard
of writing from Year 1 boys!
You can find the lesson plans here.